Following its push to redirect MAIFIP funds to LGUs, the Department of Health rejected proposals to shift them to PhilHealth over payment delays, with Secretary Ted Herbosa dismissing pork barrel claims as funds go directly to hospitals—amid the program's P51 billion 2026 budget hike.
In the latest development in ongoing 2026 budget talks for the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program—after DOH's December 15 push to send funds directly to LGUs to bypass politicians' guarantee letters—Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa on December 19 rejected proposals to redirect MAIFIP funds to PhilHealth. He cited the state insurer's payment delays, including P1 billion in unpaid hospital claims flagged by a Commission on Audit report. "There are still delays in payments; even private hospitals complain to me that they haven't been paid, PhilHealth has debts. Why would you give the money there?" Herbosa said.
MAIFIP provides aid for medical costs beyond PhilHealth coverage. The Healthcare Professionals Alliance had suggested reallocating funds to PhilHealth, which needs P147 billion for premiums covering 24.5 million indigent Filipinos, while criticizing MAIFIP as a 'pork barrel' via politicians' letters.
Herbosa countered: "It's not given to the patient; it's given to the hospital. You only tap the fund if PhilHealth coverage is too small or you have other hospital expenses. So, how is that pork barrel?"
Senate President Vicente Sotto III backed the bicameral increase to P51.6 billion from P24.2 billion proposed, adding safeguards like direct hospital funding without guarantee letters. Health reform advocate Tony Leachon called for abolishing MAIFIP and redirecting to PhilHealth to avoid duplication and bolster universal health care. PhilHealth's 2026 budget is P129.7 billion, including P60 billion restored by the Supreme Court.
